Page 41 of When the Viscount Seduces
“But I thought you suspected he had romantic inclinations toward me,” Gwen said.
“He may, but that doesn’t mean he will make a good husband. Some people are not able to be monogamous. Perhaps that doesn’t bother you, however.”
The idea of an unfaithful spouse was unacceptable to Gwen. She’d be devastated if her husband was disloyal. After watching her own parents, she wasn’t sure she could settle for less than mutual, unconditional love. Alas, she would probably have to. But keeping faith was a requirement upon which she would demand. “I think it would. Do some people not mind?”
Miss Harker lifted a shoulder—at least Gwen thought she did. “My own parents are not faithful to one another, but neitherof them cares. They don’t live together, and they rarely see each other. Honestly, I see no benefit in marriage.”
“None? Not even the…physical aspect?”
“One needn’t be married to enjoy that,” Miss Harker said, sounding as though she was smiling. “But that isnotadvice,” she added firmly.
They left the retiring room, and Gwen considered what Miss Harker had said to her—about Lazarus and about herself, cautioning her not to have her heart broken. Was Gwen remotely in danger of that? Wanting to be kissed by Lazarus and harboring a tendre for him were not the same thing.
She would do well to remember that. And to not think about kissing him again.
That last part was going to be difficult.
CHAPTER 9
As Lazarus helped Gwen into his coach about an hour later, he tried not to think about how awkward things would now be between them. He hadn’t spoken to her since leaving the retiring room because she’d been led about the drawing room by Jo, the two of them conversing with everyone they encountered. Lazarus was pleased to see Gwen enjoying herself, but was envious of Jo. He wanted to be the one escorting Gwen about.
Gwen.
At some point in the retiring room, Miss Price had become Gwen. As if he didn’t knowpreciselywhat point that was. The moment he’d kissed her, the propriety between them had crumbled to dust. Or been driven away by an inescapable mutual desire.
Even now, an hour later and outside in the cool evening, Lazarus’s body was heated, his cock stirring at the thought of sitting in a closed space with the object of his growing obsession.
With nowhere else to go, he climbed inside after her and took the rear-facing seat, as he’d done earlier. He’d decided sharing a seat with her was a bad idea, and now, after kissing her, it was an extreme risk.
She plucked the pins from her hair, one at a time, and tucked them into her pocket. Then she whisked the veil from her head and exhaled. “I am so glad to have that off. Since my encounter with the candle, there has been a persistent stench of burned gauze.”
Her “encounter.” As if she hadn’t nearly suffered a terrible injury. “I might suggest you forgo veils from now on.”
“I suppose I must,” she said with a sigh. “I do hope I’ll be able to attend another salon, though. That was even more exhilarating than I imagined.” She met his gaze most earnestly. “Thank you. Truly.”
“You shouldn’t be thanking me,” he said, almost growling as he scowled out the window. “You shouldn’t even be nice to me. I’ve behaved abominably.” He transferred his attention back to her. “I humbly beg your forgiveness, though I recommend you don’t offer it.”
“What a ridiculously contradictory thing to say.” She laughed softly. “You behaved exactly as I asked you to. I should be begging your forgiveness. I should not have put you in that position. What choice did you have but to kiss me?”
He gaped at her. “I had every choice.”
“You did try to say no,” Gwen said. “But I was rather persistent. I am the one who is sorry. I hope you will forgive me. I imagine this makes you feel poorly about yourself, that you are worse than a rogue. Please don’t let it. I know the rules—the rogue rules—and I broke them.”
Lazarus could do nothing but stare at her.
She went on, “Let’s see, I’ve broken: never be alone with a rogue, never flirt with a rogue, for I’m fairly certain asking one to kiss you is flirting with one. Never give a rogue a chance…perhaps not that one. I mean, the chances I’ve given you have nothing to do with a romantic relationship, and you’ve delivered quite brilliantly on every one of them.” She fell silent. At lengthshe said, “I’ve really only broken those first two, actually. I certainly haven’t doubted your reputation,” she said with a smile.
And why would she? It wasn’t just his reputation. Hewasa rogue, which he freely admitted and easily demonstrated. The classification had never bothered him before, but he suddenly felt overburdened.
He had no one to blame for that but himself.
“Your scowl could rival Droxford’s,” Gwen observed. She was studying him closely. So closely that his body quivered to attention.
“I really am sorry,” he said. “And no matter what you say, I will blame myself, so let us not speak of it again.”
“I was just going to suggest the same thing. Let’s put this behind us. We must if we are to focus on your lessons.”
She wanted to continue tutoring him? He’d been worried about that since leaving the retiring room. How could they be alone together any longer after what had happened? He wasn’t sure he trusted himself. She sure as hell shouldn’t trust him. “Is that really wise? You’d be continuing to break your rogue rules.”
